Yesterday marked the commencement of the $60.6 million La Media Road Improvement Project in San Diego, a much-needed revamp that aims to optimize the crucial Otay Mesa Port of Entry (POE) truck route and resolve persistent flooding problems in the area. According to ABC 10 News report, the project's importance lies in its capacity to bolster cross-border commercial traffic, alleviate congestion, and facilitate a smoother flow of goods through the Otay Mesa border crossing.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria emphasized the project's significance for the city, stating, "An improved La Media Road will bring good jobs, economic growth and far more efficient movement of goods through the Otay Mesa border crossing. Without a doubt, this is a beacon of progress and opportunity for our entire binational region." Part of the project’s scope includes raising the intersection of La Media and Airway roads, mitigating the flooding issue that has plagued the location for years.
La Media Road currently serves as a two-lane unimproved street suffering from major flooding problems, particularly at the intersection of Airway Road, as noted in a release on the Otay Mesa Chamber website. The Chamber has been a key advocate for the expansion and repaving of this crucial transportation corridor, which connects San Diego to the heavily utilized Otay Mesa Port of Entry, and has been closely collaborated with the city's Southbound Truck Route Task Force led by Mayor Gloria and Councilwoman Vivian Moreno.
With a timeline of around 18 months – as revealed by the Otay Mesa Chamber – the project is set to be executed in two distinct phases. The first phase will encompass La Media Road from State Route 905 to Avenida de la Fuente, expanding the existing road from a two-lane street to a six-lane primary arterial up to Airway Road, and to a five-lane major road between Airway and Siempre Viva roads, consisting of three southbound lanes and two northbound lanes.
Further enhancements detailed in the city statement shared by 10News include the addition of buffered bike lanes, parkway landscaping, the installation of traffic signals, and various pedestrian improvements such as curb ramps and continental crosswalks. The project's initial phase is expected to be completed by spring 2024, with the intersection's reopening allowing truck traffic to resume via the designated route.
Following the first phase, work will shift south on La Media Road, from Avenida de la Fuente to Siempre Viva Road, involving partial traffic closures. This phase is anticipated to wrap up by fall 2024. The city was able to secure $22.7 million in state grant funds toward the project's construction costs and, through the assistance of Rep. Juan Vargas (D-San Diego), collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expedited the necessary permits.
The timely execution of the La Media Road Improvement Project holds great promise for the region's economic growth, reductions in traffic congestion, and enhanced public safety through the provision of a dedicated road shoulder for emergency vehicles. As the project unfolds, local businesses, residents, and cross-border commercial traffic can expect a significantly improved transportation experience in the coming years.
